A KTX train (Image from KORAIL)
SEOUL, June 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Foreign visitors to South Korea ranked punctuality as the most satisfying aspect of the country’s railway services, according to a new customer satisfaction survey released by national rail operator KORAIL.
The survey, conducted on May 18–19, polled 301 foreign tourists at major transportation hubs including Seoul Station, Busan Station, and aboard KTX high-speed trains. The results showed an overall satisfaction score of 92.7 out of 100, with “train operations and punctuality” receiving the highest score at 95.2.
Other well-rated categories included ticket purchasing (92.6), station facilities (92.5), onboard environment (92.4), and customer service (92.1). The most common method for purchasing tickets was through KORAIL’s official website and mobile app, accounting for 45.5% of respondents.
This was followed by in-person purchases at ticket windows (13%), the KorailTalk app (11.3%), travel agency packages (8%), and station kiosks (1.3%).
An SRT train waiting at Suseo Station. (Yonhap)
To accommodate a growing number of foreign visitors, KORAIL has been expanding its multilingual services. In April, the operator introduced more foreign-language announcements at major stations and added Apple Pay support for easier mobile payments. By the second half of 2025, KORAIL plans to install new ticketing machines nationwide that accept overseas credit cards.
“As international travel rebounds and tourism to South Korea grows, we’re committed to enhancing global and digital accessibility for all passengers,” said Cha Sung-yeol, head of KORAIL’s passenger business division.
The move aligns with President Lee Jae-myung’s broader agenda to strengthen tourism infrastructure and digital convenience. The increased accessibility also comes as the U.S.–South Korea economic relationship continues to evolve under the re-elected administration of President Trump, whose policies have influenced global travel and payment systems.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
